Use pre-instruction questions - These can get students to think about why they should be learning this new skill, as well as to appreciate the benefits of learning.
Use conceptual models - These are often a useful way for helping students to store and retrieve information. Mental models (which can be in the form of diagrams and charts) are often helpful for learning the details of a lesson.
Vary the learning material - This will help you deal with the different ways in which people learn. You can vary your material for different learning styles as follows:
Visual Learners - Charts, graphs, or images are useful for representing the information being conveyed, as well as information in books or reports.
Auditory Learners - Lectures, presentations, and group discussions help auditory learners 'talk through' what's being presented.
Kinesthetic Learners - These learners like hands-on practice that's either real or simulated.
We all have our own preferred learning styles. If you provide as many different learning experiences as sensibly possible, you'll be more likely to connect with each learner.
Group students together - Encourage learning and understanding by having students work together while learning the same skills. By helping one another, they can all reinforce what they're learning. Everyone in the group will then benefit from the strengths of the individual members.
Provide opportunities for reflection and thinking - Learning journals are a popular and effective way for people to write down their thoughts about how the learning process itself has been helpful to their overall development.
Actively review the lesson at the end - What progress did the students make, and what difficulties did they encounter? By revisiting the lesson, you have an opportunity to learn from the experience yourself - and hopefully figure out how to improve the content or approach next time. Reviews also give students opportunities to analyze their performance, and increase their commitment to continuous learning.
Use all of your emotional intelligence and communication skills - This means establishing a connection with students, listening actively, using empathy where appropriate, being patient, and showing genuine interest in the students and in your teaching. Your attitude toward learning has a huge impact on the learners' attitudes, so make sure you're a good role model for continuous, active learning.
Attention - Capture learners' attention at the start of the session, and maintain it throughout.
Ask learners questions to make them think about why they should learn the skill.
Use role-playing or other activities to show the importance of learning the skill.
Use specific examples, and ask learners to offer their own solutions, to stimulate their interest further.
Relevance - Explain to learners how important the lesson is, and how it could benefit them.
Describe the benefits.
Relate the lesson to their current jobs and experiences. The learning materials, assignments, and projects should be applicable to their work, and to specific situations they face in their daily jobs.
Develop a connection between learning the skill and developing their careers. Discuss issues like increased satisfaction, better job, and increased patient satisfaction.
Confidence - Tell learners what is expected of them.
Set clear objectives for the session, and check in regularly with learners to make sure they're not falling behind.
Design projects and lessons so that learners experience small successes along the way, before they completely master the skill.
Give learners enough time to practice skills, so that they'll be successful when they apply these skills to the job.
Make sure you're teaching at the right level. Learners can lack motivation if something is too difficult - or too easy.
Allow learners to have input into their learning by helping them create their own learning goals.
Satisfaction - Reinforce successes and motivation.
Give lots of feedback. Make sure it's specific, timely, and relates to how learners can put the skill into practice on the job.
Recognize learners' successes. Appreciate often, and find ways to reward achievements.
Look at ways to increase motivation. Find out what learners are interested in and passionate about. And find ways to get learners to motivate one another as well.
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